The Buck Stops Here

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Godel, Einstein, and Morgenstern

In a story often thought to be apocryphal, Morgenstern and Einstein accompanied Godel to his naturalization hearing, with amusing results. It turns out that in 1971, Morgenstern typed up his recollection of the day. The PDF is available here, but here is a transcript for greater legibility:

It
was in 1946 that Gödelwas to become an American citizen. He asked me to be his witness and as the other witness, he proposed Albert Einstein who also gladly consented. Einstein and I occasionally met and were full of anticipation as to what would happen during this time prior to the naturalization proceedings themselves and even during those.

Gödel whom I have seen of course time and again in the months before this event began
to go in a thorough manner to prepare himself properly. Since he is a very
thorough man, he started informing himself about the history of the settlement
of North America by human beings. That led gradually to the study of the
History of American Indians, their various tribes, etc. He called me many times
on the phone to get literature which he diligently perused. There were many
questions raised gradually and of course many doubts brought forth as to
whether these histories really were correct and what peculiar circumstances
were revealed in them.

From
that, Gödelgradually over the next weeks proceeded to study American history,
concentrating in particular on matters of constitutional law. That also led him
into the study of Princeton, and he wanted to know from me in particular where
the borderline was between the borough and the township. I tried to explain
that all this was totally unnecessary, of course, but with no avail. He
persisted in finding out all the facts he wanted to know about and so I
provided him with the proper information, also about Princeton. Then he wanted
to know how the Borough Council was elected, the Township Council, and who the
Mayor was, and how the Township Council functioned. He thought he might be
asked about such matters. If he were to show that he did not know the town in
which he lived, it would make a bad impression.

I
tried to convince him that such questions never were asked, that most
questions were truly formal and that he would easily answer them; that at most
they might ask what sort of government we have in this country or what the
highest court is called, and questions of this kind. At any rate, he continued with
the study of the Constitution.

Now
came an interesting development. He rather excitedly told me that in looking at
the Constitution, to his distress, he had found some inner contradictions and
that he could show how in a perfectly legal manner it would be possible for
somebody to become a dictator and set up a Fascist regime never intended by
those who drew up the Constitution. I told him that it was most unlikely that
such events would ever occur, even assuming that he was right, which of course
I doubted.

But he was persistent and so we had many talks about this
particular point. I tried to persuade him that he should avoid bringing up such
matters at the examination before the court in Trenton, and I also told
Einstein about it: he was horrified that such an idea had occurred to Gödel,
and he also told him he should not worry about these things nor discuss that matter.

Many months went by and finally the date for the examination in
Trenton came. On that particular day, I picked up Gödel in my car. He sat in
the back and then we went to pick up Einstein at his house on Mercer Street,
and from there we drove to Trenton. While we were driving, Einstein turned
around a little and said, “Now Gödel, are you really well prepared for this examination?” Of course, this remark
upset Gödel tremendously, which was exactly what Einstein intended and he was
greatly amused when he saw the worry on Gödel’s face.

When we came to Trenton, we were ushered into a big room, and
while normally the witnesses are questioned separately from the candidate,
because of Einstein’s appearance, an exception was made and all three of us
were invited to sit down together, Gödel, in the center. The examinor first
asked Einstein and then me whether we thought Gödel would make a good citizen.
We assured him that this would certainly be the case, that he was a
distinguished man, etc.

And then he turned to Gödel and said, Now, Mr. Gödel, where do you
come from?

Gödel:Where I come from? Austria.

The examinor:What kind of government did you have
in Austria?

Gödel:It was a republic, but the
constitution was such that it finally was changed into a dictatorship.

The examinor:Oh! This is very bad. This could not
happen in this country.

Gödel:Oh, yes, I can prove it.

So of all the possible questions, just that critical one was asked
by the examinor. Einstein and I were horrified during this exchange; the
examinor was intelligent enough to quickly quieten Gödel and say “Oh God, let’s
not go into this” and broke off the examination at this point, greatly to our
relief.

We
finally left, and as we were walking out towards the elevators, a man came
running after us with a piece of paper and a pen and approached Einstein and
aske him for his autograph. Einstein obliged. When we went down in the
elevator, I turned to Einstein and said, “It must be dreadful to be persecuted
in this fashion by so many people.” Einstein said to me, “You know, this is
just the last remnant of cannibalism.” I was puzzled and said, “How is that?”
He said: “Yes, formerly they wanted your blood, now they want your ink.”

Then
we left, drove back to Princeton, and as we came to the corner of Mercer Street,
I asked Einstein whether he wanted to go to the Institute or home. He said, “Take
me home, my work is not worth anything anyway anymore.” Then he quoted from an
American political song. I unfortunately do not recall the words. I may have it
in my notes and I would certainly recognize it if somebody would suggest the particular phrase.

Then off to Einstein’s home again, and then he turned back one more
toward Gödel, and said, “Now Gödel, this was your last but one examination;” Gödel: “Goodness, is there still another one to come?” and he was already
worried. And then Einstein said, “Gödel, the next examination is whether you
step into your grave.” Gödel: “But Einstein, I don’t step into my grave.” And
then Einstein said, “Gödel, that’s just the joke of it!” and with that he
departed.

I drove Gödelhome. Everybody was relieved that this formidable
affair was over; Gödelhad his head free again to go about problems of
philosophy and logic.